Rubio Defends U.S. Strike on Venezuelan Dr*g Cartel

Targeting Narco-Te**orism
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump’s str*ke on a cartel-operated vessel off Venezuela. He promised the U.S. will no longer “sit back” in the fig.ht against narco-te**orism.

The str*ke on Tuesday hit a vessel in the southern Caribbean Sea allegedly carrying members of the Tren de Aragua cartel. Rubio told reporters, “We’re not going to sit back anymore and watch these people sail up and down the Caribbean like a cruise.”

A Shift in U.S. Policy
The operation reportedly ki**ed 11 cartel members. Tren de Aragua had been designated a te**orist organization in February. This str*ke marked a sharp shift from the U.S.’s previous “seize and apprehend” approach toward international g*ng networks.

Rubio stressed the threat these groups pose. “The president of the United States has determined that narco-te**orist organizations endanger U.S. national security. I don’t need to explain why,” he said. He highlighted that these organizations traffic dr*gs, w**pons, and people.

“These are not casual dealers or part-time criminals,” Rubio added. “These are structured, corporate-like groups specializing in d**dly dr*g trafficking into the United States. They pose an immediate thr**t. Period.”

Ineffective Past Policies
Speaking from Mexico, Rubio discussed counter-narc*tics and a*ms agreements. He criticized the previous policy. “These cartels expect to lose 2% of their cargo—it’s built into their economics,” he explained. “What stops them is when you destroy them, when you remove them entirely.”

Emerging Thr**ts
Rubio also highlighted the cartels’ growing arsenal. Groups like Tren de Aragua are now reportedly using unconventional w**pons, including drones, posing a serious international security thr**t.

“We see these cartels deploying drone technology, along with landmines and grenades,” Rubio said. “They are using these tools to threaten security forces in neighboring countries like Colombia.”

Future Operations
Rubio confirmed the strategy used on Tuesday will continue. “It’ll happen again. Maybe it’s happening right now. But the president is determined to wage w*r on narco-te**orist organizations,” he stated.